Short answer: the cost of a yacht delivery is made up of the crew fee (charged per day or per nautical mile), plus running costs such as fuel, marina and canal fees, crew travel and provisions. The biggest price drivers are the distance, the size and type of yacht, how many crew the passage needs, and the season. Every route is different, so a reliable price always comes from a written quote based on your boat and your route. Here is how much a yacht delivery does cost, explained step by step.
This guide explains how yacht delivery pricing works, what is usually included and excluded, and how to compare quotes fairly.
How yacht delivery companies price a delivery
There are two common pricing models in the industry:
- Day rate: the skipper (and any crew) are paid per day, from the day they join the boat until handover. Travel days and weather days are often charged at a reduced rate.
- Per nautical mile: a rate per mile of the planned route, sometimes with a minimum fee. This is more common on long offshore passages.
Some companies also offer a fixed price for the whole delivery. Whatever the model, the important thing is to know exactly what is — and isn’t — included.
What is usually included
- The professional skipper and the crew the passage requires
- Passage planning and weather routing
- Watchkeeping, navigation and seamanship underway
- Position and ETA updates to the owner
- Handover at the destination
What is usually charged on top (at cost)
- Fuel and oil — the largest variable cost for motor yachts
- Marina, harbour, lock and canal fees along the way
- Crew travel to the boat and home again after handover
- Provisions for the crew during the passage
- Repairs and parts if something fails underway
- Customs and clearance fees on international routes
The 6 factors that decide the price
- Distance and route. Longer and more exposed routes take more days and more crew.
- Size and type of yacht. Larger boats and complex systems need more experienced crew; motor yachts burn far more fuel than sailing yachts.
- Crew size. Short coastal hops may need one skipper; offshore passages need a crew large enough to keep safe watches around the clock.
- Season and weather. Delivering in the right season means fewer weather days in port — and a lower total cost.
- The condition of the boat. A well-prepared yacht avoids delays and unplanned repairs. See our yacht delivery preparation checklist.
- Your schedule. A fixed arrival date with no flexibility can mean extra crew or waiting time.
How to compare yacht delivery quotes
- Check whether the quote is per day, per mile or fixed — and how weather days are charged.
- Ask which costs are excluded and estimate them (fuel, marinas, travel).
- Ask about the captain’s qualifications and commercial experience — not only the price.
- Confirm that your insurance covers the delivery and the professional crew.
- Ask how often you will receive position and progress updates.
Sea delivery or transport?
For some boats and routes, moving the boat by truck or cargo ship is cheaper or faster than sailing it — especially smaller boats, long ocean distances or boats that should not add engine hours. Read Yacht delivery by sea vs. boat transport for a side-by-side comparison.
Get a clear, itemised quote
At Nordic Crew Worldwide every quote is built around your vessel and your route, with the fee and the expected extra costs listed separately — so there are no surprises. Choose from our delivery packages or request your free quote.